2015 – ‘Guns & Roses’

Written/Directed/ Produced by Tomás Óg Ó Céilleachair

Edited/Directed/ Produced by Seamus de Blacúil

Welcome to Richville, a town in the Wild West thrown into crisis by the shooting dead of Sheriff Douglas and Deputy Hueston. Who will Governor Wallis appoint as the new Sheriff? Who will the Sheriff appoint as Deputy? Will the new law officers succeed in cleaning up the town? What will become of the local Indian tribe? Why is Governor Wallis so interested in Richville? What secrets does the town hide?

It’s hard to believe that six short months ago I stood in front of this fine group of individuals and mooted the idea of writing a western-style play. From then on this play has taken on a life of it’s own. It is challenging enough to stage a play with one cast but even the logistics of working with three casts is mind blowing. I cannot praise this wonderful group enough for the amount of time and commitment they have given this project. They have helped in no small way to create and develop the juggernaut that is drama in Gaelcholáiste Luimnigh. Míle buíochas le James, Catherine agus David as ucht na n-uaireanta cloig fada atá curtha isteach agaibh agus na scoláirí gan dabht. Pé oíche a thagann sibh chun sinn a fheiceáil tá súil agam go mbainfidh sibh taitneamh as an taispeántas.

James Blackwell – Producer

It has been an absolute pleasure to work on Guns and Roses with Ógie, Catherine, David Sheehan and such a dedicated bunch of Transition Year students. Over the past number of months, a lot of work has gone into this play and it really has been a fantastic experience. For a lot of the students, this is their first taste of the stage, and it’s a fantastic opportunity for them. For others this is a continuation of the fantastic work done by drama groups around the city. The arts play a very important role in Gaelcholáiste Luimnigh and I’m just delighted to have had a small part in helping to promote them. I would like to wish the three casts the very best on the nights, and I would encourage them to continue getting involved in productions as they move on from Transition Year. Thanks very much to you all for your support and I hope you enjoy the show!

Catherine – Costume Design

It has been an incredible experience working with Ógie, James and David over the past few months. Since Drama classes began last year with this exceptionally talented group of students, it has been more a learning than a teaching experience witnessing the energy, enthusiasm and raw talent injected into Ógie’s amazing script by our gifted students! I would like to thank all the students who helped in any way with the costume design. It is no small feat to put on a show of this magnitude and it has been an honour to be involved in any way. I would like to thank Caitríona Finn, Niamh McGleenan and Clodagh Ní Chróinín for their help designing and sourcing costumes and a huge thank you to Claire Gleeson and Sharon Kiely for their invaluable help and support.

I would like to say a huge thank you to all the students who participated or contributed in any way to see Ógie’s vision realised. Finally, I would like to wish all our students on stage and backstage the very best of luck over a weekend that will no doubt and most deservedly confirm Gaelcholáiste Luimnigh Drama’s already impressive reputation and status!

In March of 2014, having just wrapped up with last year’s crew, an idea hit me to recognise the trojan work put in by all who rehearsed so diligently. Thus “Aisteoir na Bliana” was born. Soon afterwards another idea hit me. Why not name the award in honour of one of Limerick’s stars of the stage and screen? There was no doubting who the award should be named in honour of.

In May 2014 I got to work and my first port of call was to the chairperson of our Board of Management: the late, great Prionsias de Priondargást (1933-2015), ar dheis Dé go raibh sé. Within a few days I was put in touch with Noel Harris, a brother of Richard. In the meantime we would name the inaugural award as “Aisteoir na Bliana”. The entire group of Transition Years voted on who they thought should receive the award. Five went forward for nomination based on that vote: Evan O’Grady, Siabh Bourke Maguire, David Sheehan, Eibhlín Halpin & Ellen Devaney. The year group then voted again on the above nominees. In the end David Sheehan was presented with the first ever GCL Aisteoir na Bliana. As part of the prize David also won a scholarship to Sárscoil Fíbín, an acting summer school trí Ghaeilge sa Spidéal, Conamara, Co. na Gaillimhe.

Fast forward to September 2014 and Noel Harris rang me to tell me of his approval of naming such an award in honour of his brother. “Richard would have been all for it as it is a school in his home town of Limerick” is an exact quote from the conversation.

This year we have decided to expand the voting process to include you, the audience. On the back of your ticket you will find a space to write, in your view, who should go forward for nomination. You can leave your completed ticket in any of the clearly marked voting boxes outside the theatre doors on your exit. Your votes, along with TY GCL 2015 will help to decide who will be nominated for Gradam Richard Harris 2015. Five again will go forward for nomination and TY GCL 2015 will vote for their chosen nominee. Exciting times for drama i nGaelcholáiste Luimnigh. Go mba fada buan an gradam seo.

Ógie Ó Céilleachair, Márta 2015.n

2014 – ‘The Snapchat Diaries’

Written/Directed/ Produced by Julie Nic Eoin

Edited/Directed/ Produced by Tomás Óg Ó Céilleachair

A word from the writer…..

“The making of ‘The Snapchat Diaries’ has been an education to say the least.

Being Ógie’s boss really was a job in itself-let him out of your sight for one minute and before you know it he has renamed your play and bestowed the title of ‘Head of Drama Studies Department’ upon himself. Despite these despotic idiosyncrasies Ógie’s vision has ensured this play has actual

ly happened. Milebuíochas a Mháistir.

The TYs have truly shone this year. It has been such a joy for both of us to watch our merry band of men and women become better versions of themselves with each new day. You guys truly are ‘shamazing’. The success of this play has been down to you and you alone (and Ógie of course).

Please note that this is a work of fiction*(ish) so no please. Art just tends to mimic life sometimes, don’t ya know.